Groton Long Point Yacht Club

Groton Long Point, CT 06340  860-536-0242

Groton Long Point Yacht Club

Jr. Sailing

Parent / Student handbook

Welcome to Junior Sailing at the Groton Long Point Yacht Club. Our goal is to inform participants (parents and students) about the program so that everyone will know what to expect. We appreciate and welcome your input to improve this handbook each year. Written remarks are best and can be submitted to the YC office at any time during the season.

 Organization and Staff

Board of Governors: The Board meets once a month to supervise activities of the Club. Responsible for hiring the GLPYC staff.

Director of Sailing: Attends the Eastern Connecticut Sailing Association meetings to remain current on local and national trends and events. While the Director of Sailing is not at the Club during the day, contact information is available on the last page of this handbook.

Director of Operations: Day to day operations of the Club during the season is handled by this Director. He/she is responsible to the Board for all activities, managing staff and is the main contact for Board Members, parents, and others interested in any aspect of the day to day operation of the Club.

Senior Instructors are the primary instructional staff. They are full time instructors, which include the Head Instructor. They are responsible for preparing class activities, record keeping. running classes, discipline, and all other activities associated with teaching sailing. Full time instructors are US Sailing! Small Boat Sailing certified instructors, (which requires a four-day instructor course, as well as valid CPR and Basic First Aid certification).

Junior Sailing Aides are part time instructors who help the senior staff during each sailing session. Their responsibilities include sailing with new sailors, helping beginners rig and derig boats, and assisting in any aspect of class time essential to a smooth running program.

All instructors and aides have their Safe Boating license.

Program Goals

The primary goals of the GLPYC Jr. Sailing program are:

]        Develop sportsmanship, integrity, and interpersonal skills

2.      Instill in students an admiration for sailing.

3.      Develop a respect for the sea and the elements.

4.      Learn and incorporate safety and seamanship.

5.      Instill responsibility for boats and equipment.

6.      Create a fun atmosphere in which students want to participate.

7.      Provide the environment and education for those who want to compete and those who do not.

Parental Involvement

We encourage you to take an active role in your child’s sailing experience. Your input will also help the program to be a success. Some ways to be involved ore:

1.      Help your child be prepared for class each day (see Student Preparation).

2.      Remind students that proper behavior (respectful, responsible) is required.

3.      Call the YC whenever your child is absent. It is important for the staff to know of absences ASAP in order to make arrangements for your child’s captain or crew member. It also lets us know you are aware of their absence.

4.      Transportation: regattas: you are required to trailer your child’s boat to any “away” regatta. Transportation may also be needed to participate in team racing at other yacht clubs.

Student Preparation

It is very important to be prepared for class every day. Sailing is strenuous, hard work and can at times be dangerous. Everyone must be on their best behavior, alert and have all the proper equipment.

Prepare for sailing by:

1. Eating properly

2. Applying sun block liberally

3. Wearing sunglasses with full UV protection

4. Wearing a hat that will be secure if it is windy

5. Wearing shoes at all times (in boats, on docks, on deck during class) Sandals that slip off are not acceptable.

6. Wearing a properly fitted US Coast Guard approved PFD (lifejacket) at all times. An emergency whistle must be attached.

Comments, Suggestions & Problems

We are always trying to improve the program. We welcome alt suggestions, criticisms and compliments. Please keep in mind that the program must remain flexible and we want our students to learn safety and have fun while sailing.

Problems need to be addressed as soon as possible. You can discuss classes, racing, teaching, daily operations and any general concerns with the Director. Except for safety concerns, which need immediate attention, any discussion with the instructors must take place outside class time and should be out of the presence of students and third panes. Our instructors have been ordered to walk away from any conversation that becomes uncivil in nature and report the incident to the Director.

Classes

Classes follow a “flexible” lesson plan. Weather conditions and safety are major considerations in planning daily lessons. The learning process is a continuous one, and sailors missing a lot of classes will be at a disadvantage. On days of inclement weather students should check the posting board outside the back YC office for update information on that days’ class.

Racing Philosophy

Competition is an essential part of the higher level classes. We believe that several benefits derive from racing. Students often don’t understand or develop the finer points of sailing unless they can see the effects of their actions as measured against another boat sailing alongside. A clearly identifiable short-term goal (winning) usually heightens the learning curve. While encouraging friendly competition, we stress the importance of safety. Sailors need to learn the rules of racing. This includes allowing protests, an important process in understanding racing rules. We use the “360 penalty”, which, in most cases, allows the sailor to sail in one complete circle to exonerate himself of a foul before continuing the race. The sailor, who knows he made a mistake can take a penalty and continue racing, avoiding the more severe penalty of disqualification if a subsequent protest were lost.

We fry never to forget that sailing should be fun. Parents should be instrumental in supporting their children and helping them understand that there is a system for resolving disputes. The “system” does not always function properly, but children should be taught to deal with it, accept the results, and move on.

Sailors are encouraged to seriously consider their abilities when deciding whether to participate in any race (other than within their own class) or regatta. Consultation with the instructor is advised to determine if you are prepared to participate.

Regattas:    Traveling to other yacht clubs for regattas is arguably the most memorable experience for our sailors. Besides the enjoyment of the competition itself, the social aspects are significant. Our sailors spend a lot of time on and off the water with sailors from other clubs up and down the Sound.

Many local regattas are listed in the ECSA Junior Yearbook. GLPYC will provide a list of regattas we will be sending our sailors and instructors to. During class time, students will be given the instructions they need to participate in these regattas. We will maintain a list of sailors and boats going to each event, and will do our best to help coordinate moving people, boats, and gear. It is not the instructor’s job to move the boats, rig boats or keep track of gear at regattas. They will help out before, between and after racing but sailors and parents need to take full responsibility for their participation at any regatta. Whenever possible, instructors will be out on the water to coach and assist sailors in between races.

GLP Cup Races: The Commodore and Vice Commodore’s Cup Race are for our experienced Blue Jay/C420 sailors. We try to include these races during the course of the summer but keep dates open due to the weather. Sailors are told well in advance of each race day.

“You haven’t won the race if in winning the race, you have lost the respect of your competitors.”

Paul Elvstrom, 4 time Olympic Gold Medalists

PEOPLE TO CONTACT

Commodore -  Lori Perrone

Vice Commodore - - Sue Aberbach

Director of Sailing - - Doug Steere

Director of Operations - Bob Congdon

Yacht Club Office: 860-536-0242

Office Manager: Lesley de Labry

INSTRUCTORS

Head Instructor:  Rebecca Orchardo

Instructors:         Andrew deLabry, Nate Fast, Matt Murphy, Alie Bittl

Aides:                  Jack Washburn (OPTI's), Marc deLabry (Blue Jays / 420)

2007 Eastern Connecticut Sailing Association Calendar